Greetings from the rockin' Golden Princess!

[Working 2 Cruise]

Today is our first day at sea, and the seas are rough! Unfortunately, there are a lot of sick people today. Last night, the ship started to rock and roll. Those of you who know me know that I love this!

 

Embarkation: Easy, but lengthy. We were onboard by 12:30. Could have been earlier had it not been for our getting gold cruise cards instead of platinum... Oh well!

 

We have cabin C205, all the way at the front of the ship, which makes the rocking even more fun! Love that Caribe deck balcony!

 

Astro Flyer, if you read this, I lost my phone on our shuttle to the port... So, now, in the space of three weeks, I broke one phone, and lost another one! :mad:

 

We did bring our alarm clock, and it makes a big difference.

 

So far, the food is great. Here is one difference between the Sapphire and the Golden. The Sapphire does not have those wonderful themed lunchtime buffets at Horizon Court... Today is stir fry. Can't wait.

 

Other differences between the Sapphire and the Golden is that on the Sapphire everything is pretty much new. The Golden is well used loved ship! Casino is on deck 7 instead of 6... Movies are also shown at different times and MUTS movies are shown on the cabin's television at different times as well. I will try to keep up with the differences and keep you updated!

 

I am looking forward to tonight's Skywalkers' nighly cocktail party for platinum, elite and suite passengers. On the menu, steak tartare and Chivas Regal Rob Roy.

 

As for entertainment, we have not made it to anything yet! Barry Manilow and James Brown concerts were showing yesterday.

 

I will check in either today or tomorrow... Until then, have a great day!

[seamanfs]

So glad you are doing a live from on the Golden!! When you get off we get on!! Keep the ship nice and spiffy for us!! Enjoy your cruise!! We are anxiously awaiting our turn!!

[crazy4elton]

Thanks for your post, Nina; your comments were interesting. Are the furnishings, carpets, etc. worn-looking, and that's why the ship is showing her age? My husband and I will be on the Golden, sailing April 25th and we're looking forward to it. Our cruise is waitlisted so I expect the decks will be packed on the numerous sea days. I'd be curious to hear from you if the Sanctuary area is being used at all. (I've been told most if not all of that area is shaded, which makes it unappealing for me.) Aside from the rocking and rolling, have you had sunshine and warm temperatures? Regarding this itinerary, I've read so much about the weather being cool for the first two days out and the last two days back, because of the ocean currents, and that makes me sad :( I live for tropical weather when I'm on vacation. I wonder how the ship movement will be up on the Sun Deck (deck 15) which is where our cabin is located. "It might be pitch(ing), Dawg" (reference for those of you who watch American Idol). Have also heard that the majority of passengers are 65+. What's your fellow passenger demographic? We're not young (50) but I find that entertainment options that already border on cheesy and "lounge lizard" tend to deterioriate when it's an older crowd. Oh well, not a big deal.

 

On another note, I just found out that Princess no longer mails out luggage tags or embarkation cards - we need to print out everything ourselves. Seems kind of chintzy. Getting those things in a little cruise wallet, close to the trip, was always part of my trip anticipation/excitement. Again, not a big deal. One of my husband's major criteria for taking our past cruises has been no or very few sea days. It will be "interesting" to see his reaction to 8.5 sea days. Yikes! But the price was certainly good.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!

[highheel girl]

Thanks for checking in.

[Lopear1]

Hi!

 

Thanks so much for this thread. We sail on the Golden to Alaska in September. Our friends are in C205! Do you still have the old style balcony chairs (4) and the big table? Any chatter onboard about Princess replacing the chairs/tables on Caribe & Dolphin decks anytime soon?:eek:

 

We sold our friends on this ship/Caribe cabins so we could all visit on one balcony.

 

Many thanks!!!

 

Have a great cruise!:)

[Working 2 Cruise]

Thanks for your post, Nina; your comments were interesting. Are the furnishings, carpets, etc. worn-looking, and that's why the ship is showing her age? My husband and I will be on the Golden, sailing April 25th and we're looking forward to it. Our cruise is waitlisted so I expect the decks will be packed on the numerous sea days. I'd be curious to hear from you if the Sanctuary area is being used at all. (I've been told most if not all of that area is shaded, which makes it unappealing for me.) Aside from the rocking and rolling, have you had sunshine and warm temperatures? Regarding this itinerary, I've read so much about the weather being cool for the first two days out and the last two days back, because of the ocean currents, and that makes me sad :( I live for tropical weather when I'm on vacation. I wonder how the ship movement will be up on the Sun Deck (deck 15) which is where our cabin is located. "It might be pitch(ing), Dawg" (reference for those of you who watch American Idol). Have also heard that the majority of passengers are 65+. What's your fellow passenger demographic? We're not young (50) but I find that entertainment options that already border on cheesy and "lounge lizard" tend to deterioriate when it's an older crowd. Oh well, not a big deal.

 

On another note, I just found out that Princess no longer mails out luggage tags or embarkation cards - we need to print out everything ourselves. Seems kind of chintzy. Getting those things in a little cruise wallet, close to the trip, was always part of my trip anticipation/excitement. Again, not a big deal. One of my husband's major criteria for taking our past cruises has been no or very few sea days. It will be "interesting" to see his reaction to 8.5 sea days. Yikes! But the price was certainly good.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!

 

I tried responding but am having problems. Chilly weather for at least 2 days going and 2 days back, but there is never a guarantee on this cruise. Caribe deck chairs and table still the same!

[jrobinso]

Thank you for the post. I watched your sail away from San Pedro on the web cam yesterday. Have a great trip and report back when you can. We don't sail to Hawaii until October and it is a long time to wait. Guess I will keep myself busy reading "live from...." posts until then. Looking forward to your next installment.

[Working 2 Cruise]

Thank you for all of the replies. We just attended our first Platinum/Elite/Suite cocktail party in Skywalkers, it was just as advertised. The food layout is great, the ship was moving in awesome directions, and drinks were cheap! Now, I just have to persuade my husband to go to dinner... ;)

 

The seas have calmed a bit, but probably not enough to satisfy everyone!

 

Tonight's show is a ventriloquist, and we might pass on that... It still is too cold for MUTS although the weather is warming up nicely.

 

Spent some of my hard earned money in the casino, although I just managed to spend only a small portion of it.

 

We also had our Cruise Critic Meet and and Greet, and the Food and Beverage Director, Anthony Di Felippes (I hope I spelled it right, if not, please forgive me) attended. He was very entertaining, and kept up to speed as to the development of Royal Princess and the Golden's drydock. Carpets in the cabins do need a bit of revamping...

 

The Golden is a beautiful ship and to those who are booked to sail on her, you should really enjoy her and her crew.

[kathy_bc]

Nina,

We are on the Golden next! Looking forward to your updates! :) Is David Moore still on piano? What about the cd staff - names? Or Kevin Hughes (comedian)?? I took the Golden in january, and enjoyed it so much, going on it again.

Enjoy your cruise.

[lovevacadays]

Nina,

Looking forward to reading your live from and enjoying your Golden and Sapphire comparisons.

[pmd98052]

Oh - wish we'd had the rockin' on the Sapphire last week instead!!! :)

[Cruisin' Chick]

Thanks for your post, Nina; your comments were interesting. Are the furnishings, carpets, etc. worn-looking, and that's why the ship is showing her age? My husband and I will be on the Golden, sailing April 25th and we're looking forward to it. Our cruise is waitlisted so I expect the decks will be packed on the numerous sea days. I'd be curious to hear from you if the Sanctuary area is being used at all. (I've been told most if not all of that area is shaded, which makes it unappealing for me.) Aside from the rocking and rolling, have you had sunshine and warm temperatures? Regarding this itinerary, I've read so much about the weather being cool for the first two days out and the last two days back, because of the ocean currents, and that makes me sad :( I live for tropical weather when I'm on vacation. I wonder how the ship movement will be up on the Sun Deck (deck 15) which is where our cabin is located. "It might be pitch(ing), Dawg" (reference for those of you who watch American Idol). Have also heard that the majority of passengers are 65+. What's your fellow passenger demographic? We're not young (50) but I find that entertainment options that already border on cheesy and "lounge lizard" tend to deterioriate when it's an older crowd. Oh well, not a big deal.

 

On another note, I just found out that Princess no longer mails out luggage tags or embarkation cards - we need to print out everything ourselves. Seems kind of chintzy. Getting those things in a little cruise wallet, close to the trip, was always part of my trip anticipation/excitement. Again, not a big deal. One of my husband's major criteria for taking our past cruises has been no or very few sea days. It will be "interesting" to see his reaction to 8.5 sea days. Yikes! But the price was certainly good.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!

 

It seems like most, if not all, of the cruiselines have gone to the print-your-own luggage tags. For our December 2010 cruise on the Golden, I printed out a bunch and inserted each one into one of those plastic sleeves that you can use with lanyards. Use twist ties to secure to luggage and carryons. Other people have laminated them. Once you figure out one of them, then you're okay.

 

Tell your husband that there's so many activities on the Golden. A musical duo named Elua got several Hawaiian activities going or improved on how Princess was doing them.

[hansi]

Thanks for your post, Nina; your comments were interesting. Are the furnishings, carpets, etc. worn-looking, and that's why the ship is showing her age? My husband and I will be on the Golden, sailing April 25th and we're looking forward to it. Our cruise is waitlisted so I expect the decks will be packed on the numerous sea days. I'd be curious to hear from you if the Sanctuary area is being used at all. (I've been told most if not all of that area is shaded, which makes it unappealing for me.) Aside from the rocking and rolling, have you had sunshine and warm temperatures? Regarding this itinerary, I've read so much about the weather being cool for the first two days out and the last two days back, because of the ocean currents, and that makes me sad :( I live for tropical weather when I'm on vacation. I wonder how the ship movement will be up on the Sun Deck (deck 15) which is where our cabin is located. "It might be pitch(ing), Dawg" (reference for those of you who watch American Idol). Have also heard that the majority of passengers are 65+. What's your fellow passenger demographic? We're not young (50) but I find that entertainment options that already border on cheesy and "lounge lizard" tend to deterioriate when it's an older crowd. Oh well, not a big deal.

 

On another note, I just found out that Princess no longer mails out luggage tags or embarkation cards - we need to print out everything ourselves. Seems kind of chintzy. Getting those things in a little cruise wallet, close to the trip, was always part of my trip anticipation/excitement. Again, not a big deal. One of my husband's major criteria for taking our past cruises has been no or very few sea days. It will be "interesting" to see his reaction to 8.5 sea days. Yikes! But the price was certainly good.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!

 

Yes it was nice to get the wallet etc. But what happens when there's a post strike. Online printing yeah:p, you know it makes sense.

[sassyredhat]

Thanks for posting Nina. We leave on Sapphire in 2 weeks.

I am surprised the the seas are that rough this late. I've done this twice before, so I know there's always motion in the ocean. I like the rockin and rollin, but I do have to take Bonine. Makes for great sleeping ! ;)

Pat

[Lopear1]

Thank you so much for the Caribe balcony furniture update! :p

 

Hopefully, Princess won't be replacing the current inventory on the Golden soon, even though they now say they'll put 2 chairs, a dining table, and 2 ottomans on each Caribe balcony. We're not 18 anymore, so not sure how low those ottomans are to the floor!!!:eek:

 

Must increase my gym time!!:(

 

Enjoy your wonderful cruise!:cool:

[windsor26]

Thanks for your live from It is great to 'cruise' with others when they are enjoying themselves

[Astro Flyer]

Astro Flyer, if you read this, I lost my phone on our shuttle to the port... So, now, in the space of three weeks, I broke one phone, and lost another one! :mad:

:eek: Maybe you could get a Princess lanyard to attach your next phone? ;)

[isujim]

Thanks for posting this and keeping us up to date............

 

We are up next on the Golden to Hawaii as soon as you disembark:)

[jrobinso]

Looking forward to your next post.

[Woobstr112G]

Nina;

Hope you and Norman have a wonderful cruise. We sailed the Golden to Hawaii last year and absolutely love it. Looking forward to reading your future posts. Are you goinng to try for the Chef's Table.....:):):)

Bob

[Working 2 Cruise]

Hello everyone! Bob, we will see you on the Royal, if not before! No, we are not trying for the Chef's Table. We are trying to keep the onboard expenses to a minimum so that we can pay for the next cruises!

 

Yesterday was formal night and it was lovely. Dinner was great! I also had a chance to spend some time with our cruise director, Martyn Moss, which was very interesting.

 

They are playing the NCAA games on MUTS today. This morning, we watched the Dolphin Tale movie on MUTS, and since the weather warmed up very nicely, it was great. I did get a sunburn on the right side of my face though!

 

 

Ocean is a little rough looking this morning, but beautiful. Forget about walking a straight line!

 

Have to go back to my slot tournament, so see y'all later!

[CruiseAdict218]

Thanks for doing this, I can't wait to be on the Golden in July.

[mamaiscruzin]

This will be our 2nd cruise to Hawaii. I look forward to your review. Can you name some of the movies being offered? So many questions so little time. We sail in about 3 weeks.

Hope the seas and weather are smooth and warm for you and us.

[kathy_bc]

Can you name some of the movies being offered? So many questions so little time.

I got the form letter from the cd for our upcoming cruise on the 11th. They said that two of the movies on our sailing will be: The Artist and The Descendants.

[Working 2 Cruise]

The movies playing are the Dolphin Tale, the Artist, the Descendants, Moneyball, Tintin, among others.

 

Today was absolutely beautiful. We definitely got a lot of use out of our balcony today. Entertainment for tonight is Motor City and a comedian, Derrick Cameron. Not sure we will attend either.

 

There is way too much food on this ship! I have a hard time finishing one dinner, so we may do Horizon Court today... By the way, Horizon Court is pretty good on this cruise, but of course, the MDR is better!

 

Entertainment has not been so great for me, but the reason for that is having done three cruises to Hawaii since November...

 

This was just a quick update for now. Tomorrow we will be in Hilo, and have no plans to get off the ship. We will enjoy having an empty Golden Princess all to ourselves!

 

To those sailing on the Golden soon, you will enjoy her. She is a beautiful ship and has a great crew.